Gender-Based Decision Making and Family Size Preference Among Urban and Rural Dwellers of Obudu L.G.A of Cross River State

Abstract

The study focused on finding out the role of household decision on family size among the urban and rural people of Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State. This is because traditional demography concentrated efforts at finding out the role of women in fertility to the complete neglect of the household dynamics. To put the study within perspective, research Objectives were formulated: to determine the gender responsibility of men and women within the family, especially in relation to childcare and upbringing. To identify the effective decision maker on reproductive issues with a view to developing appropriate programes intervention targeted on them as important agents of change in society. To investigate the pattern and differential in fertility with respect to a number of socio-cultural determinants and explore differential level of family size. The study utilized structured questionnaire to collect data. Results found among other things that fathers bear a higher proportion of these items than do mothers, besides; the man still takes the final decision. The majority of the respondents, irrespective of place of residence and sex, hold strongly to the view that most family decisions are never really discussed. Again on the related issue of reproductive decisions and number of children respondents also argue that such things as child spacing and contraceptive adoption are never really discussed among couples until certain problems or situations arise. Following from here the study made the following recommendations: there is an urgent need to improve on the education of women and the girl-child. The culture that favours preference for male children should be discouraged